Pet rescuers determined to turn Monroe into a no-kill county are making headway

Sunday

Mar 29, 2009 at 12:01 AM

"Fixing" homeless dogs and cats is the ultimate fix for creating a "no kill" county, says a local group of animal lovers. They want to open a low-cost, high-volume, spay-neuter clinic to cut the supply of unwanted pets.

SUSAN KOOMAR

"Fixing" homeless dogs and cats is the ultimate fix for creating a "no kill" county, says a local group of animal lovers.

They want to open a low-cost, high-volume, spay-neuter clinic to cut the supply of unwanted pets.

Lori Hoffman of No Kill Monroe County says the group has $10,000 in private donations to open a clinic and wants to get the program started without tapping local taxpayers. The group is filing for nonprofit status with the state.

Eight veterinarians are interested in helping, said Hoffman, a former volunteer at Stroudsburg's PSPCA shelter, which closed in January.

Pet rescue volunteers met recently with community leaders to unify efforts to reopen the shelter under local ownership and management. A building on the property — but separate from the shelter — could be used for the spay-neuter clinic.

"That's the biggest part of no-kill. We'll spay-neuter at low cost, reach out to low-income residents and seniors," said Hoffman, of Bartonsville.

One cat can create its own population explosion, producing three litters per year.

With fewer kittens and puppies needing homes, adult pets in foster care will become more adoptable as families consider options other than young animals, Hoffman said.

Hoffman and her husband, Bill, are drawing on the experience of existing spay-neuter clinics in the Lehigh Valley and beyond. A Lancaster humane society vet, Dr. Bryan Langlois, is among the experts helping them develop a realistic business plan and operating budget.

Partnering with the Hoffmans is Barbara Marinelli, who worked at the animal shelter in Stroudsburg for almost a year.

State Rep. John Siptroth, D-189, secured a state grant to start a clinic, but the money had to be directed to other local needs when the shelter closed.

The Hoffmans dispute former PSPCA chief Howard Nelson's assessment that it would take $75,000 to open a clinic.

"It can be done for $10,000 to $20,000," said Lori Hoffman.

One of the group's benefactors is a local businessman distressed by the number of rampantly reproductive feral cats in Pocono private developments.

"Feral cats have a right to live and keep the mouse and cat population down (to prevent the spread of disease)," Bill Hoffman said.

Monroe County's vector control expert Jacquelyn Hakim agreed.

"There are a lot of people who say cats don't belong outside, but they are part of the cycle. Ferals can be our first line of defense between humans and rabies," she said.

The spread of rabies is one of Hakim's biggest concerns since the PSPCA shelter closed.

The Hoffmans say all animals would be vaccinated before leaving their spay-neuter clinic.

"We just need to get them in and neutered and rabies shots," said Lori Hoffman.

They want to get youth groups such as Boy Scouts involved in trap-neuter-vaccinate-release programs.

The couple's initial love was rescuing unwanted elderly dogs to ensure a comfy home for their final years. But now they've converted a bedroom into a mini-rescue center for homeless cats. One occupant is tortoise-colored Callie, saved from euthanasia at the Stroudsburg shelter because she was pregnant and had fleas, said Hoffman and Marinelli. Other guests include felines from foreclosed homes.

"There are just so many cats. So many," Marinelli said.

In addition to working on the spay-neuter project, Marinelli also fosters pets for the rescue group Camp Papillon.

In pet rescue circles, there can be ferocious debate about "kill" versus "no-kill" philosophies. The Hoffmans say they see the need to euthanize unadoptably vicious animals and those with painful medical problems. But their vision is to have 90 percent of Monroe County's homeless pets rescued and adopted.

The East Penn Roller Derby Girls will hold a fundraiser for No Kill Monroe County on Saturday, May 16, at Lippy's Extreme Sports Bar in Marshalls Creek.

On the Web: www.nokillmonroecountypa.org

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